Thursday, 5 September 2013

Gaea

In Greek mythology,Gaea, or Mother Earth was the great goddess of the early Greeks. She represented the Earth and was worshiped as the universal mother. In Greek mythology, she created the Universe and gave birth to both the first race of gods (the Titans) and the first humans.

Gaea

Gaea had come out of Chaos, the great void of emptiness within the universe. She gave birth to Uranus (Heaven,Sky),Pontus(Sea) and Ourea(Mountains) without a mate. Gaea took as her husband Uranus, who was also her son, and their offspring includes : 12 Titans, Cyclopes, and the Hecatonchires.

Gaea

To protect her children from her husband, (the Cyclopes and Hescatoncheires), Gaea hid them all within herself. According to other version, Uranus was aghast at the sight of his offspring so he hid them away in Tartarus. Gaea herself found her offspring uncomfortable and at times painful, when the discomfort became to much to bear she asked her youngest son Cronus to help her.

Castration of Uranus

Gaea asked Cronus to castrate Uranus, thus severing the union between the Earth and Sky, and also to prevent more monstrous offspring. To help Cronus achieve his goal Gaea produced sickle to serve as the weapon. Cronus hid until Uranus came to lay with Gaea and as Uranus drew near, Cronus struck with the sickle, cutting the genitalia from Uranus. Blood fell from the severed genitals and came in contact with earth and from that union was born the Erinyes(Furies), the Giants and Meliae (Nymphs of the manna ash trees).